Dental bridge-work



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. G. V. 1. BROWN- DENTAL BRIDGE WORK. No. 337,812. Patented Mar. 16, 1886.

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DENTAL BRIDGE'WOBK.

N0. 337,812. Patented Mar. 16, 1886.

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UNTTED STATES PATENT 'FFICE,

GEORGE V. 1. BROWN, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

DENTAL BRIDGE-WORK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 337,812, dated March 16, 1886.

Application filed June 1, 1885.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE V. I. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Bridge-\Vork in Dentistry, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to bridge-work wherein the artificial teeth to be inserted are secured to a metal bridge, which is fastened to the permanent natural teeth by metal bands or other suitable material. I accomplish this result through the medium of the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of the bridge for teeth for the lower jaw. Fig. 2 is a view of a complete set of teeth, showing the bands for securing the bridge, as seen from the front. Fig. 3 is a rear view of the bridge, showing the caps for securing the bridge to the permanent molar teeth. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the flask, showing the method of inserting the artificial teeth an d pouring the metal. Fig. 5 is a view of my method of bridging back when the last molar teeth are wanting.

Siniilarletters refer to similar parts th rough out the several views.

I fit to such permanent natural teeth as may be found in the mouth caps A and A and bands 0 and C,which I make of silver in preference to any other metal, though any metal may be used.

In the case of teeth in the fore part of the mouth, I make the bands narrower in front and broader at the back of the tooth, as the case will admit. I then take a cast or impression of the jaw in plaster of paris, the bands being in place. I then remove the plaster cast and the bands from the mouth. I then lit the bands above mentioned to the impression of the permanent teeth, taken in plasterof-paris, and then make a plaster cast of the permanent teeth with the bands in the same relative position as they would be in the mouth. I then grind porcelain teeth so that they take the proper position and articulate perfectly with the occluding teeth, then wax the teeth up from the back, allowing the wax to cover such parts of the teeth as I wish covered by the metal. I then invest the cast in a dental Serial No. 167, 32%.

tures.

(N0 specimens flask, F, having two apertures at the upper end, the flask being capable of separation into halves horizontally, theinvesting material be ing composed of sand and plaster-oflparis, or

other suitable material that will stand heat. I then separate the two halves of the flask, remove the wax, the investing material being sufficient to hold the teeth in their place. I then trim away any material that might prevent the free passage of the metal when melted and poured into one of the openings of the flask from passing in and around the teeth, over the bands and caps, and out at the other aper- After the wax is removed and the cast so trimmed the halves of the flasks are fastened together and placed in a drier that will admit of heating up the cast so gradually that all moisture will be removed and the teeth heated to a proper degree to prevent cracking when the metal is poured about them. drying asufi icient length of time the metal known in the trade as Browns Gold Alloy is melted and poured into one of the apertures of the flask till itrnns ontat the other. Nheu cool, the piece, as the teeth and alloy are called, is removed, all surplus matter trimmed away, and the piece carefully polished and fitted into the mouth, when any alterations, if necessary, are made, the alloy being sufficiently soft to admit of being easily manipulated and strong enough to resist all strain of mastication. The piece is then electroplated with gold. The teeth or sorts to which I make attachment are covered with cement mixed to the consistency of thick cream. The bridge is then driven into place and kept dry till the cement is sufficiently hardened. Then a small drill-hole is made through the band into the tooth and filled with gold, which holds the bands 0 and O in place.

The advantages of my method are that I am able to form a bridge-work by fastening to any permanent teeth found in the month by a bridge of alloy secured to and forming part of a band or bands of silver, with which the said alloy unites chemically, and form one and the same body without the use of solder or backing, or the necessity of using the blow-pipe, which endangers the soundness of the teeth.

By using silver bands I am able to remove them by reason of their greater rigidity with- After is necessary on the front teeth; and, further,

I am enabled to use rubber teeth,which are thicker and stronger, andin the case of molars can be left without additional covering.

The time and required skill and labor and reduction of the cost of the metal used reduces the cost ofthe bridge, and brings bridgework within the reach of a large class of operators whose skill will not permit them to work in gold.

The cheapness of the set ofteeth is increased as thenu mber ofteeth upon the piece increases.

In extending a bridge by additions behind or before the tooth of attachment the process is simplified, as the alloy will flow smoothly over a plaster cast, giving thereby a perfect impression, and guaranteeing a more perfect fit to the ridge of the mouth than can be secured by other'metals not having the property.

The alloy fuses at so low a temperature that it precludes the danger of cracking and injuring the delicate gums of the artificial teeth, as is the case in operating with gold.

I do not claim the broad principle of bridgeworkin dentistry, and anrwell aware of the existence of the patents of A. S. Richmond,

May 22, 1883, No. 27'7,933,'and of L. 'r. Sheffield, May 26,1885, No. 318,579; W. Allender, March 3, 1868, and N. B. Slayton, August 9, 1859, No. 25,053, and do not in this application claim anything therein shown or claimed, intending to make a separate application for my invention, which is mainly distinguished by the fact that the metallic part of a denture is composed ofalloy fused upon artificial teeth, the same being supported by a plaster cast of the jaw without the use of any bridge 'of metal being previously formed, the forming of the bridge and the uniting the teeth thereto being accomplished by the pouring of the alloy in one and the same operation. The utility of my process mainly consists in employing a method for constructing bridgework for dentistry which is simple as to process and cheaperas to product than any known method now in use. i

The use of my method enables the comparatively unskilled operator to make a good bridge and obtain a perfect fit and accomplish a result beneficial to his patent, which cannot be secured by any of the methods now employed.

What I claim,therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The process in the manufacture of artificial dentures of fitting silver bands to. the per manent teeth, making a plaster cast of the jaw with bands attached, then removing the bands, adjusting them to the model of permanent teeth on the cast, then waxing up such artificial teeth as may be necessary, investing the cast and artificial teeth in a flask, removing the wax, and casting about the teeth and hands a molten alloy forming the metal bridge without backing or the use of solder, all as and for the purpose set forth and described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. GEO. V. I. BROWN. In presence of E. 0. W001), H. HAUPT, Jr. 

